Patent attributes
An multi-beam multifunction electro optical scanning antenna having a first variable wavelength tunable laser having an output wavelength variable within a first range and a second variable wavelength tunable laser having an output wavelength variable within a second range, different from the first range. The outputs from both lasers are modulated by independent microwave sources and the modulated outputs from both lasers are combined by an optical combiner into a combined output signal. An antenna array includes a plurality of radiators and a photodetector is associated with each radiator which converts the combined optical output from the lasers to microwave signals. Beam splitters divide the combined output signals to each of the antenna radiators while first and second wavelength-dependent time delay elements are optically connected in series between each sequential beam splitter. Each first time delay element is operable within the first wavelength range, while each second time delay element is operable within the second wavelength range. The antenna can generate two or more RF microwave beams simultaneously and independently scan/steer them.
